Local News

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Laurel Lee praised the passage of multiple appropriations bills through the House on Jan. 8 that address needs in Florida’s 15th Congressional District.

These bills include priorities to strengthen public safety, protect access to clean drinking water and advance medical research and workforce development.

“These bills move Washington toward accountable budgeting by reducing overall federal spending while prioritizing essential investments that protect public safety, clean drinking water and economic opportunity,” Lee said. “As one of the fastest-growing regions in the country, Florida’s 15th District must ensure our infrastructure, public safety systems and research institutions can keep pace with that growth.”

The fiscal year 2026 appropriations package includes the following projects, each selected for its broad public benefit and long-term value to the community:

• Pasco County Crystal Springs Chlorine Booster Station Project: Improving drinking water safety and efficiency through federal investment in a chlorine booster station at Pasco County’s Crystal Springs facility, reducing unnecessary water loss while ensuring compliance with standards.
• Moffitt Cancer Center CryoCure: Illuminating Cancer’s Hidden Structures: Accelerating lifesaving cancer research with federal funding for advanced imaging technology that enables researchers to better understand how cancer drugs interact at the molecular level and speeds the development of more precise, targeted therapies.
• Hillsborough County Drinking Water Infrastructure Inspection and Analysis Program: Preventing disruptive water main breaks by supporting a comprehensive inspection and analysis of aging underground water infrastructure, allowing the county to identify vulnerabilities early and prioritize critical repairs before failures occur.
• USF Artificial Intelligence and Cybersecurity Makerspace Equipment Acquisition and Installation: Preparing students for high-demand technology careers through investment in hands-on artificial intelligence and cybersecurity equipment at the University of South Florida, strengthening workforce readiness and supporting Tampa Bay’s growing innovation economy.
• Plant City Vehicle Incident Prevention and Mitigation Program: Protecting pedestrians at public events by providing federal funding for specialized safety barriers used by local law enforcement during parades, festivals and other large gatherings, helping prevent unauthorized vehicle access and reducing the risk of vehicle-based attacks.

“These projects address real needs by keeping families safe, ensuring access to clean and reliable drinking water and positioning our district as a leader in medical research and innovation,” Lee said. 

 

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY – The 2025-26 season at the New Tampa Performing Arts Center continues in January with a variety of high-quality entertainment across music, dance and film.

• The Tampa Qipao Team presents a dazzling evening celebrating its 10th anniversary alongside the 2026 Chinese New Year at 7 p.m. Jan. 16. Hosted by the Florida Hubei Chinese Association, this festive showcase will feature vibrant performances by singers, dance troupes and cultural ensembles, including Anna Dance Academy and Tampa Sunshine Choir. General admission tickets cost $8. Email the Florida Hubei Chinese Association at for tickets. 
• New Tampa Jazz Nights, presented by the New Tampa Performing Arts Center and Tampa Jazz Club, returns at 8 p.m. Jan. 17 with another intimate concert from renowned jazz musicians. The concert features world-renowned vibraphonist and drummer Chuck Redd with the Best of the Bay jazz trio La Lucha. Tickets range from $10 to $35 and can be purchased through Tampa Jazz Club. 
• Inspired by the popular show “MTV Unplugged,” the New Tampa Unplugged concert series showcases acoustic performances by prominent musicians from Tampa Bay. Alexis Carra, a Tampa native and musical theater maven, returns to the New Tampa Unplugged stage at 3 p.m. Jan. 18 after receiving high praise for her heartfelt performance last season. Carra’s career has spanned from the Broadway stage (“Wicked” and “Sweet Charity”) to Hollywood (“Mixology” and “Two and a Half Men”). Tickets range from $10 to $25 based on seat selection and can be purchased at NewTampaArtsCenter.org/tickets.
• REVolutions Dance will perform twice at the center in January. REVolutionary Moves (Jan. 22 at 10:30 a.m.) is presented as part of New Tampa Performing Arts Center’s Theatre for Young Audiences program. This interactive and educational performance teaches audiences about the value of diversity and inclusion through a unique blend of storytelling and professionally choreographed dances. REV20 (Jan. 23 at 8 p.m.) celebrates 20 years of inclusive dance performances. The company will present its favorite dance pieces spanning the past two decades, along with new works. 
• New Tampa Players presents “The SpongeBob Musical” from Jan. 30 to Feb. 1. This unique full-length production experience is a joint production between New Tampa Players’ Mainstage and Ampersand groups. Buy tickets through New Tampa Players. 

The New Tampa Performing Arts Center is located at 8550 Hunters Village Road.

On the web: NewTampaArtsCenter.org 

NEW PORT RICHEY – Pasco County no longer allows parking of recreational or commercial vehicles on streets in master planned unit developments.  

The change expands on-street parking restrictions from residential neighborhoods to include larger, mixed-use communities.

“These changes to our Land Development Code address concerns about long-term parking and storage of these types of vehicles,” said Jack Mariano, chairman of the board of county commissioners. “The goal is to improve safety and visibility on neighborhood streets and make our communities more visually appealing.”

Under the new rules:

• You can’t park RVs, including boats, trailers, campers or jet skis, in any county right-of-way, including on-street parking spaces.
• You can’t park commercial vehicles in master planned unit developments, unless your company is legally doing business within the development or you park your commercial vehicle in an enclosed structure such as a garage. 

Pasco County will share educational information on pascocountyfl.gov and social media platforms to help people understand the new rules. Information cards will also be placed on vehicles that are in violation of the new laws.

Warning notices and tickets with fines up to $500 per day will be issued after this educational period, which ends Feb. 27.

These updates apply only to street parking. All existing rules for RV and boat parking on private property, including temporary allowances during disaster recovery, remain unchanged. 

On the web: mypas.co/Parking-Rules 

 

Collards Festival supports local agriculture

NEW PORT RICHEY – The 11th annual New Port Richey Collards Festival & Winter Garden Expo brings together growers, gardeners and community partners to celebrate sustainable food and local agriculture.

The free event is presented  by the Rotary Club of New Port Richey and New Port Richey FarmNet from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Jan. 17 at Grand Gardens, 5721 Grand Blvd. 

The festival will feature locally grown vegetable seedlings, cool-weather produce, bedding  plants, organic and heirloom seeds, gardening materials, loquat fruit trees and sign-ups for garden plots at Grand Gardens. 

Attendees can also enjoy tastings from restaurants and artisan-prepared collard dishes, plus festival shirts and collard greens cookbooks supporting local agriculture projects.

 

New Port Richey celebrates Arbor Day 

NEW PORT RICHEY – The City of New Port Richey honors the role trees play in our community and our planet during the 37th annual Arbor Day Celebration. 

The celebration starts at 10 a.m. Jan. 16 at Frances Avenue Park, 5580 Frances Ave.  

Event highlights will include an Arbor Day Proclamation, “Trees of the Future” Arbor Day Address by Dell deChant of the Environmental Committee; a presentation by fourth-grade students from Genesis School and their teacher, Louisa Jaenichen; students helping plant new trees; and a ceremonial drumming honoring all trees.

New Port Richey is a National Arbor Day Foundation “Tree City USA” and a recognized leader in urban ecological regeneration. Since 1989, the city has planted and protected trees that enhance quality of life and strengthen the ecosystem.

 

St. Petersburg hosts MLK Parade

ST. PETERSBURG –  The City of St. Petersburg and Tampa Bay Collard Green Festival are celebrating the life and legacy of civil rights activist Martin Luther King Jr. with a parade.

The 39th annual St. Pete MLK Parade: “The Power of a Dream” will feature floats, marching bands and cultural performances from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Jan. 19. 

The parade travels through downtown St. Petersburg on a route that will culminate at Tropicana Field. The route goes west on 1st Avenue South from 3rd Street South to 16th Street South, then south on 16th Street to 3rd Avenue South.

Pinellas County Commissioner Rene Flowers has been named the grand marshal, honoring her leadership and longstanding commitment to service.

This year’s parade will feature two distinguished HBCU marching bands, Tuskegee University and Alabama A&M University. It will also include a special appearance by the Wendell Scott Foundation, showcasing a historic Wendell Scott race car honoring the legacy of the first African American NASCAR driver and team owner to win at the sport’s highest level.

On the web: stpetemlkparade.com 

 

Regal Railways presents Model Train Show 

BROOKSVILLE – Regal Railways will present a Model Train Show and Sale with more than 70 vendor tables offering model trains, toys and related items for sale. 

The sale takes place from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Jan. 17 at the Hernando Fairgrounds, 6436 Broad St.

Attendees can enjoy a running train layout, a test track experience and an interactive activity for children. A food vendor will be on site throughout the event.

Admission costs $6 for adults. Children 12 and under are admitted free. Credit cards are accepted. Prepaid admission is available at regalrailways.com.

 

Political groups to meet

WESLEY CHAPEL – Two area Democratic clubs will convene to discuss winning back the U.S. House.

The Central Pasco Democratic Club meets at 6 p.m. Jan. 21 at Meadow Pointe I Clubhouse, 28245 County Line Road, Wesley Chapel and on Zoom. Visit centralpascodems.com or call 813-453-1663 for details. 

The East Pasco Democratic Club meets at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 19 at the Genesis Center, 38112 15th Ave., Zephyrhills and on Zoom. Visit eastpascodems.com or call 813-383-8315 for details. 

All friends of the Democratic Party are welcome. 

 

LAND O’ LAKES – Freedom Alliance recently presented U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Jerry Wayne Padgett II with a new all-terrain wheelchair in honor of his service.

Padgett enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 2001. He served aboard the USS Cushing, USS Preble and COMMGRP1, deploying five times and contributing as a command community relations photographer and rescue swimmer. 

In 2006, while on patrol in Afghanistan, he was severely injured by an improvised explosive device, resulting in a spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury, and audio and visual impairments.

Padgett now lives in Land O’ Lakes with family and service dogs. He stays active with his son and volunteers in the community. 

His new all-terrain wheelchair will allow him to overcome daily barriers and experience a renewed sense of freedom. He’s also looking forward to returning to Florida’s trails and helping others enjoy the outdoors. 

“Jerry’s courage, resilience and unwavering commitment to serving others embody the very best of our nation’s heroes,” said Tom Kilgannon, president of the Freedom Alliance. “Providing him with this all-terrain wheelchair is a small way to honor his sacrifice and help restore the freedom he fought so hard to protect. We are proud to stand with Jerry as he returns to the outdoors he loves, and we’re grateful to the generous supporters who make moments like this possible.”

Freedom Alliance honors and supports veterans in a variety of ways. The nonprofit has awarded more than $30 million in college scholarships to children of heroes killed or disabled in military service. It has spent millions more helping injured veterans and their families with outdoor therapy trips, Heroes Retreats, care packages and mortgage-free homes. 

On the web: FreedomAlliance.org

Groups donate CPR kits to fire departments

DAVENPORT – AdventHealth Heart of Florida and the American Heart Association have donated CPR & First Aid Anywhere Training Kits to the Davenport, Lake Wales and Haines City fire departments to expand lifesaving education. 

The kits allow first responders to train up to 20 people at once in CPR and first aid using inflatable manikins, practice materials and instructional DVDs.

“AdventHealth’s generous support in providing CPR training kits moves our community one step closer to becoming a true nation of lifesavers, not bystanders,” said Eric Lee, development director at the American Heart Association. “Every kit placed represents another home, workplace or classroom equipped with the skills to act when it matters most.”

 

YMCA prioritizes wellness across Tampa Bay

TAMPA – The Tampa YMCA and the YMCA of the Suncoast offer options to stay healthy, active and connected. 

The YMCA serves as a year-round hub where people of all ages can focus on wellness together. The Y has programs designed to fit real life for young adults, seniors, first-time gym-goers, busy parents and kids.

“People want support, not pressure,” said Matt Lewis, vice president of operations, membership and programs at the Tampa YMCA. “At the YMCA, we meet people where they are and help them build healthy habits that last. That sense of belonging is what makes the Y different.”

YMCA wellness centers feature modern fitness equipment, expert staff and a wide range of group exercise classes in a welcoming, judgment-free environment. 

Children can participate in safe, engaging programs while parents focus on their own health. YMCA members also receive significant discounts on summer camp, swim lessons and youth sports. 

On the web: tampaymca.org or ymcasuncoast.org.

 

BayCare names VP of care continuity 

CLEARWATER – BayCare has appointed Chase Hall as vice president of care continuity and business development. 

Hall brings more than 15 years of health care leadership experience. He will report to C. Todd Jones, chief strategy officer and chief ambulatory services officer, and Lou Galdieri, chief administrative officer.

Hall joins BayCare from Baptist Health Louisville, where he served as vice president of clinical operations, overseeing multiple service lines and more than 800 employees. His leadership included a $10 million physician group acquisition and the development of a new orthopedic ambulatory surgery center.

“Chase’s proven track record in building high-performing teams and delivering operational results aligns perfectly with BayCare’s mission to provide high-quality, compassionate care to all we serve,” Jones said. 

 

Radiation oncologist shares breast cancer journey 

ORLANDO – After 15 years of treating breast cancer patients, radiation oncologist Sue Hwang found herself facing the disease personally. 

Her experience shifted abruptly when she was told, “The ultrasound showed five masses in your breast … and there’s a lymph node that looks a little abnormal.”

Hwang shares her journey in “From Both Sides of the Curtain: Lessons and Reflections from an Oncologist’s Breast Cancer Journey,” detailing the emotional and clinical realities of cancer from both doctor and patient perspectives. She highlights lesser-known warning signs of breast cancer and encourages patients to ask informed questions following diagnosis.

A board-certified radiation oncologist at the AdventHealth Cancer Institute and associate professor at UCF College of Medicine, Hwang also documents her experience through her Instagram page, @breast_cancer_360. 

Her memoir will be released Jan. 20 through Morgan James Publishing. 

 

Hospital offers breastfeeding support 

LUTZ – St. Joseph’s Hospital-North offers a free in-person breastfeeding support group and class in January.

Events are open to all, regardless of which hospital you delivered or plan to deliver your children. The events will be held in St. Joseph’s Hospital-North classrooms, 4211 Van Dyke Road.

• Breastfeeding Support Group: For breastfeeding mothers, their babies and one support person (grandmother, aunt and others) The group provides a place where breastfeeding mothers receive support from other breastfeeding mothers and certified breastfeeding consultants. The support group will be held Jan. 15, 10 to 11 a.m.
• Understanding Your Newborn: Provides information to the expectant mother and one support person about many aspects of safe infant care, including feeding, diapering, bathing, signs of illness and cues and communication. The class will be held Jan. 15, 1 to 5 p.m.

Register for the free events by visiting BayCareEvents.org and choosing “St. Joseph’s Hospital-North” in the “Facility/Location” filter and scrolling to the group or class you are interested in attending. Or, you can also register by phone by calling 855-314-8352 and pressing the number “2” at the prompt.

 

Get answers on Medicare

1. PETERSBURG – SHINE (Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders) is a free program offered by the Florida Department of Elder Affairs and the Area Agency on Aging of Pasco & Pinellas. 

Specially trained volunteers can assist with Medicare, Medicaid and health insurance questions by providing one-on-one counseling and information.

They’ll answer questions at the following Medicare programs: 

• Jan. 15 at 10:30 a.m. at the New River Library, 34043 FL-54, Wesley Chapel. 813-788-6375
• Jan. 17 at 10 a.m. at the Land O’ Lakes Library, 2818 Collier Pkwy., Land O’ Lakes. 813-929-1214
• Jan. 21 at 11 a.m. at the Pinellas Park Library, 7770 52nd St. N., Pinellas Park. 727-369-0669
• Jan. 21 at 1 p.m. at the Gulfport Public Library, 5501 28th Ave. S., Gulfport. 727-893-1073
• Jan. 22 at 10:30 a.m. at the Hugh Embry Library, 14215 4th St., Dade City. 352-567-3576

SHINE services are free, unbiased and confidential. Counselors do not sell anything. They can be reached by calling 1-800-963-5337 or 727-217-8111.